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Born in Kenogami, Quebec, his family moved to Fort Erie, Ontario - across the Peace Bridge from Buffalo, New York - when he was 14 years old. Because the local rink collapsed in a storm,[1] Pilote did not play his first organized hockey game until he was 17 years of age.

Pilote was a three-time recipient of the Norris Trophy as outstanding defenceman in 1963, 1964, and 1965 as well as runner-up in 1962, 1966 and 1967. He was on the first or second all-star team every year from 1960 to 1967. During his playing career, he was respected as an iron man playing 376 consecutive games. Wearing his familiar number 3, Pilote played his best hockey teamed with Elmer 'Moose' Vasko on the Chicago blue line. Together they formed one of the great all-time defence pairings. " Pete" was one of the greatest offensive blue-liners, who often carried the puck up ice. He was a fixture on the Chicago power play on the point due to his ability to handle the puck. Pilote was noted for wearing a snappy crew cut, donning the helmet in later years.

In 1961, the Black Hawks won the Stanley Cup and at the beginning of the following season, Pilote was named captain of the team.

On July 18, 2008, the Blackhawks announced that the #3 jersey worn by Pilote and Keith Magnuson would be retired in a joint ceremony. The ceremony was held on November 12, 2008, before the Blackhawks faced off against the Boston Bruins in an Original Six matchup at the United Center. The Bruins ultimately won in the shootout 2-1. In 2011, Pilote was inducted into the Chicago Sports Hall of Fame.

In January 2012, Pilote travelled to his home region, where he unveiled a statue in his honour in the Jonquiere Sports Palace. Also in 2012, he was made an Honorary Ambassador to the Penetanguishene Sports Hall of Fame. In the fall of 2013, ECW Press published his biography "Heart of the Blackhawks: The Pierre Pilote Story", co-written with authors L. "Waxy" Gregoire, a member of the International Hockey Researchers Association and David M. Dupuis, also a member of the International Hockey Researchers Association and author of Sawchuk: The Troubles and Triumphs of the World's Greatest Goaltender.